This is an exciting opportunity for someone to drive our scientific understanding of the state of the Falkland Islands peatlands as well as overall long-term monitoring of environmental change. This role has 80% of its time allocated to peatland research, which will focus on quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) flux from targeted habitats in the Falkland Islands. The remaining 20% of the role will be filled with maintenance of data and data loggers monitoring a range of environmental variables. 


This 12 month position is based in the Falkland Islands at SAERI’s head office on Ross Road in the centre of Stanley. The role forms part of an overall Falklands peatland project, funded by Defra, UK, which aims to establish the evidence base and foundations for a possible Falkland Islands carbon off-setting scheme. The main aspect of this role is to deliver the science element for this peatland project by gathering and analysing data on GHG flux through a combination of flux towers and static chamber measurements. This will include fieldwork, data management & analysis and writing of reports and peer-reviewed papers. The candidate will also focus on long-term monitoring of key environmental indicators of change, including meteorological variables, soil moisture & temperature, water level, water temperature and water chemistry. Data loggers that were deployed during previous projects will be maintained by the candidate, which will include the replacement of batteries & electrodes and downloading and curating of data.

A large part of the role is fieldwork-based, the successful candidate must therefore be physically fit (able to carry fieldwork equipment up to 20 kg), have a valid driving license, have a willingness to learn off-road driving and be able to travel across the Falklands with overnight stays.

The overall peatland project is led by our partners Falklands Conservation and involves the Falkland Islands Government as well as UK based partners ((Uk Centre of Ecology and hydrology and BAS) . The candidate will have to work effectively and collaboratively within this partnership. The peatland project will also include stakeholder consultations and engagement with local media. Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey science to a broader audience are essential.


Main Accountabilities:
The successful candidate will:

●        Make regular GHG flux measurements with static chambers from existing sites

●        Set up a new experimental sites for static chamber GHG flux measurements and make measurements from these

●        Assist with the set-up of flux towers

●        Process, curate and analyse GHG flux data from both static chambers and flux towers

●        Oversee a moderate equipment and travel budget

●        Contribute to writing project progress reports

●        Take part in and contribute to stakeholder workshops and project management meeting

●        Maintain data loggers for a range of variables by downloading data and replacing batteries and electrodes

●        Process, curate and analyse data from environmental monitoring